patrick.net

Cultural diversity means having next door neighbors giving exploding vest terrorist lessons in their living room, but agreeing not to hurt you because you are their neighbor.

CL says

Enlighten me. What does cultural diversity mean to you, if not enjoying the
richness of ethnicities from throughout the world, and appreciating their food,
culture, religion, art and language?

It means when you go to any school, restaurant, public event and there are people from nations all over, you don't feel a damn thing and don't notice it. It is so natural that you don't even think about it nor care.

rufita11 says

To me, it means actually living within the lives of people of diverse cultures, eating in their homes and they in yours. Going to their weddings and taking part in the hidden lives that they don't sell in their restaurants

Totally true. Nothing like submersion. Obviously, we do what we can in America, and I don't begrudge the museum visitor who catches a Chinese Exhibit if they can't foot a flight there.

Had some rural girls in to visit recently and we took them to a nice Ethiopian restaurant. It might be the closest they ever get to Africa, but that exposure is priceless although still not as great as submersion.

That's what's great about city living in general, and Oakland in particular. All that exposure to the gay or ethnic minority cultures opens a lot of eyes. Harder to hate people when you work, talk, or drink with them on a daily basis. Of course, the more opportunities to interact with folks different than you, the greater the odds of those encounters occurring.

I've other relatives in rural and homogenous white America. Their big night out is a Red Lobster, and it's a long drive to get there. Of course, their home food is better, and simpler. But it's a lot of pot roast, friend chicken, and full of white bread...pun intended!!

SFace says

It means when you go to any school, restaurant, public event and there are people from nations all over, you don't feel a damn thing and don't notice it. It is so natural that you don't even think about it nor care.

Could be. I think it depends on the old diversity v. "melting pot" argument. Sometimes a melting pot gives you Taco Bell, instead of real Mexican food.

Should we be indifferent to different cultures, or celebrate them? Or should they work hard to assimilate as soon as possible?